WHAT WE SAW: Lexington knocks off Gilbert 35-21 in ranked matchup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LEXINGTON |</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lexington and Gilbert both like to run the ball and you figured they both would be able to do that well Friday night. It was whoever did the other things well that would likely come out on top. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443502' first='Jonah' last='Norris']</strong> and the Indians combination of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262635' first='Alias' last='Graham-Woodberry']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> have been three of the best backs in the Midlands this season. They didn't disappoint but it was two Gilbert turnovers and the play of Wildcats QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208887' first='Taiden' last='Mines']</strong> that proved to be the difference in Lexington's 35-21 victory Friday night in front of a standing room only crowd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our kids don't give up,” Lexington coach Perry Woolbright said. “We fight, fight, fight and that's what it's going to take to play in our region. We had a lot of new leaders and guys had to learn how to be leaders. We've done a great job in growing in that aspect each week.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norris almost reached the 1,000-yard mark for the season – he finished the contest with 157 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns. He has 996 yards on the year. He had two first quarter scores to stake Lexington (4-1) to the lead and his 12-yard score with 8:29 remaining sealed the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graham-Woodberry ran for 125 yards and Allen-Hendrix scored two touchdowns to go along with 82 rushing yards for the Indians (3-1).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But it was the play of Mines and the difference that was the difference. Mines threw for 168 yards and two touchdown passes – 22 yards to <strong>Tyler Floyd</strong> and 14 yards to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443508' first='Kamadi' last='Maxwell'].</strong> He was 13-of-17 and didn't have a turnover. Jarrod Mewborn was the leading receiver with four catches for 88 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We can run or pass. You can't just load the box against us,” Norris said. “We're a tough group and going to be physical every play.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Bolin</strong> recovered a fumble for the Wildcats that set up Norris's second touchdown run, which ended up giving the Wildcats the lead for good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The clinching score was set up when <strong>Jacob Schrodt</strong>, who finished with 13 total tackles, intercepted a pass at the Gilbert 29-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Three plays later, Norris scored on a 12-yard run to seal the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're centered around the team.” Schrodt said. “We're fighting every single play. We don't let the last play say what is going to happen the rest of the game. We fight.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lexington's defense held Gilbert to 77 passing yards. Maxwell played cornerback and the safety combo of <strong>Chris Frye</strong> and <strong>Brayden Woolbright </strong>came up big as well. Woolbright had nine tackles. <strong>Christian Sexton </strong>finished with eight tackles and <strong>Kameron Coulter</strong> added eight as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jake Torbett</strong> led the Gilbert defense with nine tackles from his safety spot. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142731' first='Caleb' last='Strese']</strong> added eight tackles and a sack with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262639' first='Jordan' last='Smith']</strong> contributing seven tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->